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Reviews
Transcendence (2014)
Not for everyone, just nerds like me!
This movie starts slow, BUT! Anyone who has ever pondered about the possibilities of an AI taking over the planet (and there have been plenty since Terminator's SkyNet and before) gets one version of their envisioned futures served to them with passion for the details that matter to nerds ... like me.
I'm not a particularly huge fan of Depp. I like some of his work, I loathe some of it too (loved the Loathing one though). When embarking on seeing (t)his latest flick, I figured it would be anything in between horrible and entertaining. I never imagined all my end-of-the-world-as- we-know-it fantasies would get transcended in this delicate yet dramatic manner.
Depp exploits his ability to seem void of emotion brilliantly, leaving any viewer in constant doubt of his character which, I can only imagine, is very hard given the subject of AI. Will Caster as an AI becomes convincing because of how Depp portrays him as human.
Hall does her best to be the interface between humanity and machinery. Not an easy task, especially since emotion seems to be the key to what this movie asks of its viewers. She seems to be the weak point of this movie but, in retrospect, the depth of Will Caster's character leaves open the possibilities of Evelyn's. Their characters are in love yet Depp's seems distant from the get go. Hall puts down a lead roll passenger almost with the "finesse" of good Anime.
Freeman is dosed exactly right. His role is the conservative one and he is all he should be. Expect exactly what you think makes Freeman great as supporting cast; the urgency to expect more without being disappointed.
The story is just great, man! I got a bigger nerdgasm than I did with Edge of Tomorrow in 3D. Don't watch it for the special effects, though. They're there but that's not what this movie is about so they're very limited.
The conclusion answers most of your questions but leaves enough to the imagination that you'll beg for a DawnOTPOTA like sequel. Not too fast, not too slow, nothing presumptuous.
I loved it and am thankful for the many bad reviews this movie got because I went in expecting nothing yet it made my 2014 movie year more complete and I'd advise all my nerd friends to go see it.
The Social Network (2010)
You'd have to be slightly nerdish to like it.
Yup, I'm one of those people that liked it but wasn't flabbergasted like most other people. I still don't get why I'm pulling the short straw, statistic-wise, though.
Let's face it ; movies are not documentaries unless the story behind them is really - and I DO mean REALLY - good. This is just a story following money and nerds.
Sure, there's emotion there (you'll have to sit through a large chunk of the movie before being able to detect it) and sure ... there's a good story there but are you really interested in it or is this one of those (less and less frequent) success-story-searching "I wish I was him" stories? It's probably me but I loathe the psychology behind this scheme.
Look folks ... read financial history and check how many heroes an antagonists could have been created on this movie's meager standards.
If you're really interested in the story behind FaceBook then this movie is a must. If you like good movies though .. then this is one you'll be happy to have left alone for a few years. Wikipedia is, in my humble opinion, a more interesting source in this case.
True Grit (2010)
A true Western of the 21st century
The Coen bros couldn't have done a better job. I am sorry but that just had to be the first line I uttered to review this piece of art. Yes, I have seen the original and no, I DID not like Westerns.
The reason I didn't like Westerns is because of the idealistic manner in which they used to be portrayed. For this reason I haven't seen many Westerns. The ones I did see I liked but I would give them no higher than a 6 on IMDb (if that even existed back then).
This movie takes me back though ... and I do mean takes me back to the days portrayed in the movie we're talking about this very instance. It's like stepping into a time machine and truly seeing what post-war, colonial America was like. It is very easy to feel sympathy for all characters in the film, even the bad ones but especially the lead characters.
The reason I gave this movie 10 out of 10 stars is because I think this film truly sets a standard and precedence for all other top notch film makers out there. Super-heroes aren't the only new breeding ground for regurgitated creativity anymore. Westerns are in! True Grit showed the way!
I am seriously considering watching new remakes of old Westerns after seeing this -what surely deserves the title- MASTERPIECE of remakes. This is the future of film making. Originality CAN spawn from remakes.
Coen brothers ... you have my gratitude. Audience ... prepare for a good Western.
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
How would you define "human"?
You'd certainly have to be over a certain age to watch this movie. Not because it contains small amounts of very realistic and believable violence (kids are used to that nowadays) but very much so because of the psychological impact it could have. Forget horror ... if I was a kid and had seen this movie it would completely alter my perception of humanity, given I would understand it. Once beyond that certain age this movie will impress you, to say the least.
Shawshank Redemption places a man in the wrong place, at the wrong time (early 1900's) and in the worst kind of scenario. He's convicted of the murder of his wife and sentenced to life imprisonment. This is how the movie starts. From this point on the majority of the scenes will take place in the Shawshank Prison Facility.
Logicly, as a viewer, you side for the Andy Dufresne (beautifly interpreted by Tim Robbins). It doesn't really matter whether you think he did it or not ... he's stuck in there and it looks like he'll be there for a while. Friendships are born and enemies are made, as you would expect. The way this movie maintains a thrilling storyline describing the friendships, however, is stunning. At the receiving end of one of those friendships is 'Red' Redding (Morgen Freeman), a fellow inmate. 'Red' can get you anything and as Andy, 'Red' is serving a life sentence. Let's just say they have the time to get to know each other, learn from each other and eventually save each other.
Because of the limited scenery the story and acting performance gets all the attention it deserves. If I had to condense this movie into a few words, "intelligence, justice, friendship, being human, redemption" would all sound like understatements. Saying anything more about this masterpiece would spoil your viewing experience. It's just one you'll have to watch if you love movies.
Yanni: Live at the Acropolis (1994)
If you like music at it's purest ... you'll love this.
If there ever was anything like the perfect live performance... this MUST be it. While other concerts might tickle your fancy when it comes to your particular taste, this one meets the highest expectations of any true music-lover. The setting (the Acropolis), the lighting, the music and it's acoustics, the atmosphere, the moderate but distinctive glamor; everything tells you you're watching -and listening to- something special.
I never heard of Yanni before I saw this stunning performance. Since the verbal introduction (however enthusiastic) of my friend did not convince me I started watching this DVD with certain skepticism. After my friend had pressed "play" however, it didn't take much longer than 5 minutes for me to get lost in -what only can be described as- an explosion of pure melody, visual pleasure and utter entertainment. It won't matter if you're into R'n'B or Hard Rock ... if you truly love music then you'll most certainly appreciate this masterpiece. This live performance probably sets the standard for a long, long time to come.
Queen at Wembley was superb, no doubt about it. Now filter that experience, condense it, multiply it and add vintage.
I'd recommend this ear/eye candy to anyone that has developed a taste for good music and all it's aspects. I'd also advise you fully exploit the quality of your audio-system when viewing Yanni at The Acroplois.
Snatch (2000)
Brilliant from start to finish
Once in a while you encounter a movie which rings no bells and rises no expectations. You just sit and watch it hoping it won't suck. Snatch, to me, was one of those movies and BOY have I enjoyed it. Sure ... it's violent but I like that sometimes.
This movie has an excellent plot, trend setting camera-work and editing, a multitude of brilliant actors doing even better acting, several compelling stories asynchronously intertwining and above all ... large chunks of well placed humor. The only thing that lacks in this movie (thank God) is romance.
The characters in the movie are very believable caricatures of people that, all in their own way, live life avoiding the law. In Snatch these characters (with hilarious nick names) get to develop fully since the law doesn't show itself until the very last moments of the movie. Until that time theft, murder, betrayal, brotherhood, fighting but above all British humor roam freely through the story.
Brad Pitt does what he does best in this movie and entertains the audience with a masterpiece of acting. Vinnie Jones establishes himself as an icon almost equal to Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson) in Pulp Fiction. Jason Statham does his most enjoyable acting ever. I could rave on about this movie but if you haven't seen it and you really like an action-packed knockout from the unexpected corner; watch this one!